Frenzy over New iPad breaks Apple's website

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad during an event in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The new iPad features a sharper screen and a faster processor. Apple says the new display will be even sharper than the high-definition television set in the living room. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

March 8, 2012 9:57:11 AM PST

SAN FRANCISCO --

Hundreds of thousands of people trying to pre-order apple's new iPad are running into some problems.

Apple told customers they could begin ordering immediately following yesterday's announcement in San Francisco. Within minutes, Apple's order site crashed because of the amount of customers going on-line. The problem continued on-and-off almost all day leading to thousands of complaints on Facebook and Twitter. The site appears to be back up now. The new iPad hits stores next Friday - starting price is $499.